Ladies and gentlemen, given the circumstances and the horrid attack that took place yesterday in London, allow me to start by expressing my deepest condolences and sympathy for all those affected and their families. We all stand firmly together against any form of terror or threat to our common values of freedom, democracy and human rights.

And I would also like to thank each and everyone of you, experts and health policy makers, for your commitment against an issue which concerns us all. Those présent here today might well agree on one question: tobacco use is a disease. Luckily, there are many organizations such us the Liga Portuguesa Contra o Cancro or the AECC, of which I have the pleasure of being the honorary president, that offer help to smokers.

Because, according to the WHO, tobacco products are the only legally available products that can kill up to one half of their regular users. Furthermore, I could go on listing the figures that you usually handle when dealing with tobacco-related diseases. In fact, and quoting WHO again, not smoking, as well as avoiding alcohol and over-processed foods, combined with 30 minutes of daily exercise would prevent 8 out of 10 cancers, cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes.

But true data and scientific evidence come together with stubborn reality. And that reality shows that millions of people in the world still smoke, although it is also true that thousands give it up thanks to the prevention policies promoted by governments and associations. So, it could be said that lives are saved with every single step taken to cease its use. Smoke-free laws save lives. And it is not pointless to remember that when referring to tobacco any dose is harmful; no dose is safe. You are also very aware that the social and medical costs that this drug poses are higher than the prófits created by its industry.

So we know a lot about health and (or) tobacco. With this in mind, let me finish by voicing a wish: may conferences such as this one help the driving force of the political and social willpower to keep working, with renewed determination and strength, until all tobacco users come to the conclusion that quitting will improve their health and prolong their life with better plenitude and quality.